Aussie KFC ad slammed as racist in U.S.

**celeb_2006** · January 6th, 2010, 11:01 PM

Aussie KFC Ad Slammed as Racist in U.S. - Slashfood

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FftZt-Dw_hQ[/YOUTUBE]

KFC has found itself in an awkward situation after an Australian ad campaign made its way to YouTube sparking accusations of racism from its American audience, Australian media outlet Adelaide Now reported.

The Aussie "Cricket Survival Guide" commercial shows a white man in a crowd of cheering black cricket fans. The Australian fan, named Mick, asks "Need a tip when you're stuck in an awkward situation?" and then hands a bucket of KFC fried chicken to the black fans.

The YouTube video had more than 250,000 views Wednesday afternoon and viewers left more than 3,300 comments. In the video's description on YouTube, the poster "ThunderCurls" writes: "How do you survive a crowd of "awkward" black people? According to KFCs latest advertisement a bucket of fried chicken will do the trick. Is this racist? You be the judge..."

KFC Australia told Adelaide Now that while the ad could be perceived as racist, it was misunderstood by the American audience.

"It is a light-hearted reference to the West Indian cricket team," the company said in a statement. "The ad was reproduced online in the U.S. without KFC's permission, where we are told a culturally-based stereotype exists, leading to the incorrect assertion of racism.

"We unequivocally condemn discrimination of any type and have a proud history as one of the world's leading employers for diversity."

KFC Australia announced to Slashfood Wednesday afternoon it is "removing the television advertisement that was being run in conjunction with the Australian cricket season. We apologize for any misinterpretation of the ad as it was not meant to offend anyone."

**Mercer** · January 6th, 2010, 11:11 PM

Unclench about stuff like that. Not everything is racism.

**Beeyotch** · January 6th, 2010, 11:14 PM

Misinterpretation? Really? So then why is it an "awkward situation" then? They even look to be cheering for the same team. Without even going to the "black people love fried chicken" stereotype (which I didn't even think of until I read the racism claim), sounds like he meant he's the only uptight-looking white guy in a crowd of festive black people. Which is still kind of racist to me. Aussies, am I missing something?

**Snarker** · January 7th, 2010, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Beeyotch

Misinterpretation? Really? So then why is it an "awkward situation" then? They even look to be cheering for the same team. Without even going to the "black people love fried chicken" stereotype (which I didn't even think of until I read the racism claim), sounds like he meant he's the only uptight-looking white guy in a crowd of festive black people. Which is still kind of racist to me. Aussies, am I missing something?

Personally, I read the "awkward situation" line as, instead of sitting with the Aussie fans, this guy's ticket placed him with the West Indies fans which would make it akward for him to cheer for the Aussie team. I wasn't aware of the "black people love fried chicken" stereotype so that didn't even enter my mind.

**sputnik** · January 7th, 2010, 12:30 AM

^^^
i don't think the 'black people love fried chicken' stereotype exists outside the US. i've certainly never heard anyone else mention it.

**Beeyotch** · January 7th, 2010, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by Snarker

Personally, I read the "awkward situation" line as, instead of sitting with the Aussie fans, this guy's ticket placed him with the West Indies fans which would make it akward for him to cheer for the Aussie team. I wasn't aware of the "black people love fried chicken" stereotype so that didn't even enter my mind.

See, that would make sense. Although I could have sworn the people around him were cheering for the same team (yellow and green on both him and the crowd) ??? If I've misinterpreted then I'm confused. What do the offended people perceive as racist? The statement didn't even say did it?

If Aussies--the intended audience--don't perceive it as racist then yeah I see how it's just a misunderstanding based on context.

**Rica** · January 7th, 2010, 01:39 AM

The white guy is an aussie supporter and hes surrounded by west indies supporters.
The issue is that the sterotype of black people liking KFC chicken.

**Snarker** · January 7th, 2010, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by Beeyotch

See, that would make sense. Although I could have sworn the people around him were cheering for the same team (yellow and green on both him and the crowd) ??? If I've misinterpreted then I'm confused. What do the offended people perceive as racist? The statement didn't even say did it?

If Aussies--the intended audience--don't perceive it as racist then yeah I see how it's just a misunderstanding based on context.

I think the calypso music suppose to key you in that the people were West Indies supporter since the West Indies team is a multinational team representing a dozen or so English speaking Caribbean countries. West Indies players wear maroon uniform with gold and green stripes. The Aussie team wear gold with some green accents - hence some similar colours in the crowd.

If spunik and Rica are correct than it's probably that the US audience took the "black people love chicken stereotype" and ran with it, thus seeing racism in the ad.

**A*O** · January 7th, 2010, 04:39 AM

Oh for fucks sake. Of course there's a racial stereotype here - that white Aussie blokes DON'T like fried chicken. Outrageous.

**Sarzy** · January 7th, 2010, 04:45 AM

I've heard that stereotype used here before, but not often.

**00Kimmi00** · January 7th, 2010, 05:27 AM

A massive percentage of Indians are vegetarians...no? And as an Australian, the 'black people love chicken' thing goes over my head every time I hear it..someone explain what it means/stems from?